Idioms

Morton's fork

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Morton's fork

A decision in which either of two outcomes will result in equally unpleasant or unfavorable consequences. Many voters feel like they're facing their own Morton's fork this election, having to choose between two candidates that both have record-low approval ratings.
See also: fork
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

Morton's fork

a situation in which there are two choices or alternatives whose consequences are equally unpleasant.
John Morton ( c .1420–1500 ) was Archbishop of Canterbury and chief minister of Henry VII . Morton's fork was the argument used by him to extract contributions to the royal treasury: the obviously rich must have money and the frugal must have savings, so neither could evade his demands.
See also: fork
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in periodicals archive
For select ADC real estate loans, borrowers were stuck with Morton's fork: contribute 15 percent upfront equity on the "as completed" value of the project or face a higher interest rate due to a 150 percent capital requirement imposed on the lender.
You could preempt the whole thing and just say "I won't hold," but that often just gets the dial tone, or a reminder that, "Our doctor is quite busy seeing other patients." It is a true Hobson's choice--or maybe Morton's fork. You can hold (not desirable) or you can hang up (less desirable).
The unfortunate owners of systems that cannot be upgraded before the stage 2 deadline will--through no fault of their own--be faced with a Morton's fork of replacing their EHR on short notice or abandoning their quest for stage 2 attestation.
It's a Christmassy conundrum that would have Stephen Hawkings virtually scratching his head, a Morton's fork of a double-bind and no mistake.
Chicago, IL, July 01, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Windy City Publishers is proud to announce the release of Morton's Fork, a new novel by Dale Coy, M.D.
But Hamas, which has proven to be as astute politically as it is ruthless militarily, maneuvered Israel into a Morton's Fork - a choice between two equally unpleasant alternatives.
For a younger generation the book (if known at all) is about as enjoyable as a run-in with Morton's Fork. Sellar and Yeatman's account begins with the Roman Invasion of 55BC and ends with the End of History in 1918.
North, with ace to three diamonds, will now be in a Morton's Fork situation.
In the meantime, the Rangers fans are once again left with what they call Morton's Fork - two choices, both undesirable.
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